Sendee



A. .l. FINNEGAN.

FENDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 28. 1919.

Patented 11 19, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEEI' l.

swam wo f atliouwg A. J. FINNEGAN.

FENDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 28. I919.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEhT 2.

BROSE J. MEGAN, OFCASTALIA, IOWA,

FENDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Application filed April 28, 1919. Serial No. 293,110.

To all whom it may concern:

"Be it known that L'AMBnosn J F nne- GAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Castalia, in the county of Winneshiek and State of Iowa, have invented certain new ticularly to a device of this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with motor driven vehicles, and it is an object of theinvention to pro- .vide a novel and improved device of this general character which operates as a bumper and which is provided with means whereby the force of impact is materially absorbed so that the possibility of injury to a person or other obstruction with which the fender comes in contact is substantially reduced.

Another object of the invention is to'provide a novel and improved device of this general character comprising a member adapted to be yielding supported in advance of the vehicle and disposed in a direction transversely thereof and wherein said memberis provided with a shock absorbing agency, preferably constituting an inflatable pneumatic member.

An additional object of the inventioiT is to provide a device of this general character comprising novel and improved means whereby an inflatable body may be effectively held in desired position and whereby said inflatable body is substantially incased or inclosed in a manner to protect the same.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination .and arrangement' of the several parts of my improved fender whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of -my invention will hereinafter be definitely clai ed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan illustrating a fender constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partly in section-and partly in elevation illustrating a'connection of a supporting spring with the frame-or chassis of the vehicle.

Fig. 4 isa view in plan of the casing or covering as herein embodied.

Fig. 5 is a view in top plan illustrating a fender constructed in accordance with a fun ther embodiment of my invention, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View partly in ele vation and partly in section of one of the supporting springs and its connection with the fender bar. I

As is particularly illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, my improved fender comprises an elongated rigid member 1 adapted to be disposed transversely of'a vehicle and in advance thereof and having its outer face provided therealong with the groove or channel 2 substantially semicircular in cross section and in which is adapted to bearranged an inflatable body or member 3. The bodyor member 3 is of a length substantially equal to the length of the member 1 and in communication therewith substantially midway its length is an inflating valve 4 which, when the member or body 3 is in an extended position, extends through an opening 5- positioned substantially midway of the member 1 and which valve extends rearwardly of said member so that said member or body 3 may be readily and conveniently inflated when the requirements of practice so necessitate.

- C denotes a flexible casing or covering, preferably of leather, and of alength substantially equal to the length of the member 1 and of such width that when the casing or covering C is in applied position, the inflatable member or body 3 is incased and effectively protected from dust, the elements, and the like.

The casing or covering C adjacent its op-' posite ends and at points intermediate thereof has secured thereto the straps 6 orthe like and each of said straps is of a length to extend beyond the opposite longitudinal margins of the casing or covering C and surround or embrace the member 1 so that said casing or covering C may be firmly held in applied position yet capable of ready removal when the occasions of practice may require.

The extremities of each of the straps 6 are adapted to be buckled or otherwise coupled, as indicated at 7, and it is also of manifest advantage to have each of said straps threaded through the eyes or loops 8 carried by the member 1 above and below the groove or channel 2, so that said casing or covering C is positively held againstslipping 0r displacement.

The central portion of the casing or covering C is provided with a longitudinally disposed slit or opening 9 to facilitate the insertion or removal of the member or body 3 without the necessity of the complete disassembling of the structure and said' slit or opening 9 is closed by the flap or apron l0 maintained in closed position by the fastening members 11 which may be of any character desired or preferred.

Riveted or otherwise secured to the rear surface of the member 1 are the upstanding end portions (1 of the elongated springs 12. The opposite end portions of the springs 12 are fastened or clamped to the frame or chassis F of the vehicle. As herein disclosed, the end portion of each of the springs 12 engaged with the frame or chassis F is flattened to afford a plate 14 with which coact the substantially U-shaped members 15 straddling from below the side members of the frame or chassis F and having the free extremities of the arms-thereof disposed through the openings 16 in the plate 14 and engaged with said arms and ooacting with the plate are the clamping nuts 17.

In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, my improved fender is substantially the same construction as has been hereinbefore set forth except that the springs 12' are adapted to have their free end portions engaged with the fender or bumper bar 13 'now generally in use. Said end portions of the springs 12 have their upwardly directed or curved portions (1' terminating in the substantially horizontally dis osed U-shapedOlips or jaws 18 facing in a irection toward the vehicle and adapted to straddle said fender or bumper bar B. Coacting with each of said clips or jaws 18 isa clamping bolt 19 whereby an effective securing of the springs 12 may be had With the bar B.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a fender constructed in accordance with my inventionis articularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated,

1. A device of the character described ineluding an elongated member, yielding attaching means carried thereby, an inflatable body disposed along the outer face of said member, and a casing overlying said inflatable body and detachably engaged with the member.

2. A device of the character described including an elongated member, yielding attaching means carried thereby, an inflatable body disposed along the outer face of said member, and a casing overlying said inflatable body, and straps carried by the cover adapted to embrace the member for holding the cover in applied position, said member being provided with eyes through which the straps are directed.

3. A device of the character described including an elongated member, yielding attaching means carried thereby, an inflatable body disposed along the outer face of said member, and a casing overlying said inflatable body and detachably engaged with the member, said member beingv provided there-' along with a channel in which :the inflatable body is seated.

4. A device of the character described including an elongated member, yielding attaching means.- carried thereby, an inflatable body disposed along the outer face of said member, a casing overlying said inflatable body and detachably engagedwith the member, said member being provided with an opening, and an inflating valve carried by the body and extending through the opening of the member.

5 A device of the character described including an elongated member, yielding attaching means carried thereby, an inflatable body disposed along the outer face of said member, a casin overlying said inflatable body and detacha ly engaged with the member, said casing being provided with an opening, and a closure for said opening.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AMBROSE J. FINNEGAN. Witnesses:

-HnNRY A. DEssnL,

Geo. F. BERNHARD. 

